Treatments for Depression

Types of treatment for depression

Typical treatments used for depression are antidepressant medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two. Which one is the right treatment for each person depends on the nature and severity of depression and, to some extent, on individual preference. In mild or moderate depression, one or both of the treatments may be useful, while in severe or incapacitating depression, medication is usually recommended as the first step in treatment. 3 In combination therapy, the medication can relieve symptoms physical quickly, while psychotherapy allows the opportunity to learn more effective options for dealing with the problems.

Drugs

Several types of antidepressants are used for the treatment of depressive disorders. These include newer medications-chiefly the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs for its acronym in English), and tricyclics and mono amine oxidase inhibitors (monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs for its acronym in English) . The SSRIs-and other newer medications that affect neurotransmitters such as dopamine or norepinephrine-generally have fewer side effects than tricyclics. Each acts on different chemical pathways of the human brain that are related to mood. Antidepressant medications are not habit forming. Although some people notice improvement in the first two weeks, antidepressant medications must be taken regularly for at least four weeks and, in some cases, as many as eight weeks, before it can happen the full therapeutic effect. To be effective and to prevent a relapse of depression, medications must be taken for 6 to 12 months, carefully following the doctor's instructions. Medications must be monitored to ensure use of the most effective dose and to decrease side effects. For those who have had several bouts of depression treatment with long-term medication is the most effective way to prevent recurrent episodes.

The prescribing doctor will provide information on possible side effects and, in the case of MAOIs, dietary and medication restrictions. In addition, you must consider the other drugs used, prescription or nonprescription, because some can interact negatively with antidepressant medications. There may be restrictions during pregnancy.

For bipolar disorder, the treatment of choice for many years has been the battery, because it can be effective to soften the mood swings that are typical of this disorder. Its use must be carefully monitored, because the difference between an effective dose and a toxic dose can be relatively small. However, lithium should be recommended if you have pre-existing problems of the thyroid, kidney, or heart disorders or epilepsy. Fortunately, other medications have been found to help control mood swings. These include anticonvulsants that control mood swings, carbamazepine (Tegretol ®) and valproate (Depakote ®). Both of these drugs have been accepted in clinical practice, and valproate has been entranced by the Food and Drug Administration for the initial treatment of acute mania. Studies conducted in Finland in patients with epilepsy indicate that valproate may increase testosterone levels in young women (teenage girls) and can produce polycystic ovary syndrome (polycystic ovary syndrome) in women who began taking the medication before the age of 20 years. 11 Therefore, physicians should monitor patients carefully to young females. Other anticonvulsants that are being used now include lamotrigine (Lamictal ®) and gabapentin (Neurontin ®), its role in the treatment hierarchy of bipolar trastormo still being studied.

Most people with bipolar disorder take more than one medicine. Along with litiuo and / or other anticonvulsants, often take a medication for agitation, anxiety, insomnia, or depression that accompany it. Some research indicates that people with bipolar disorder when taking an antidepressant without mood stabilizing medication may increase the risk of switching into mania or hypomania, or of developing rapid cycling. It is very important for the patient to be able to find the best possible combination of these medications and the doctor need to monitor everything carefully.

Herbal Therapy

In recent years, interest has grown in the use of herbs in the treatment of both depression and anxiety. The wort (the infusion of St. John) (Hypericum perforatum), an herb that is widely used in Europe to treat mild to moderate depression, has recently caused concern in the United States. The wort, attractive plant that grows as a shrub under a blanket of yellow flowers in summer, has been used for centuries in many home and herbal remedies. Today in Germany, Hypericum is used in the treatment of depression more than any other antidepressant. However, scientific studies conducted on its use have been short term and have used different doses.

Due to the great interest shown for Wort (St. John's wort), the National Institute of Health (NIH for its acronym in English) is conducting a three-year study, sponsored by three NIH components-the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute of Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the Office of Dietary Supplements. The study is designed to include 336 patients with major depression assigned to blossom to eight-week trial where a third of the patients receiving a uniform dose of wort, another third received an SSRI commonly prescribed for depression, and final third received a placebo (a pill that looks exactly like the SSRI and the wort, but does not contain any active ingredient ú n). Participants in the study who respond positively receive tracking about 18 additional weeks. After completing the three-year study, the results will be analyzed and published.

The Foodstuff and Drug Administration issued a Public Health Advisory on February 10, 2000. This indicated that the wort appears to affect a metabolic pathway is important for many prescription drugs used to treat conditions such as heart disease, depression, seizures, certain cancers, and transplant rejection. Therefore, the health care providers should alert their patients about these potential drug interactions. Any herbal supplement should be taken only after consultation with your doctor or other health care provider.

Psychotherapy

In mild to moderate cases of depression, psychotherapy is also a treatment option. Some short-term therapy (10-20 weeks) have been very effective in various types of depression. Therapies to "talk" to help patients understand and solve their problems by talking with your therapist. Therapies 'behavior' help patients learn new behaviors that result in more satisfaction in your life and to "unlearn" behaviors that are counterproductive. Research has shown that two types of short-term psychodynamic, interpersonal and cognitive behavior are useful for some forms of depression. Interpersonal therapy works to change interpersonal relationships that cause or worsen depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps change styles of thinking and negative behavior that can contribute to depression.

Electroconvulsive Therapy

For people whose depression is severe or life-threatening places or those who can not take antidepressant medication, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT for its acronym in English) is useful. 3 This is particularly true for people with extreme risk suicide, severe agitation, psychotic thinking, severe weight loss or physical impairment as a result of physical illness. Through the years, the ECT has been improved a lot. Muscle relaxant is administered before treatment, which is done under brief anesthesia. Electrodes are placed at precise locations on the head to apply electrical impulses. Stimulation causes a short (about 30 seconds) within the brain attack. The person receiving ECT does not consciously experience the electrical stimulus. At least several sessions of ECT, typically given at the rate of three per week, are required to receive the full therapeutic benefit.

Treatments for Depression 2013-04-16T05:05:00+08:00 Rating: 4.5 Diposkan Oleh: tiaratheblogger